Braiding-machine.



G. DONAT.

'BRAIDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. s, 1910. n

Patented 0013.25, 1910.

Q. DUNAT. BRAIDING MACHINE.

APPLICATIONFILED J'AN.8, 1910.

Patented 0015.25, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. DONAT.

BRAIDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MILS, 1910.

e Lb ghn casco md f UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

GUSTAVO DONAT, 0F PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY.

BRAIDING-MACHINE.

Application filed January 8, 1910. Serial No. 537,002. -I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAVO DoNAT, a citizen of the United States, residing in Passaic, county of Passaic, State of New` Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Braiding Machines, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable anyone skilled in the art to which .it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to braiding machines in which the thread carrying bobbins are caused to travel through intersecting paths in the process of forming the braid from the different strands of thread` and .inthe machine herewith shown only three strands are employed in making the peculiar form of braid, though certain features of the invention'are applicable to machines employing more than three strands.

My lnvention conslsts in the varlous novel and peculiar arrangements and combinations 'of the various different parts of the machine,

`all as hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I have lllustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe top or table of my improved braiding machine. In this view, as well as in the remaining views, I have'omitted all parts of the machine above the braid-forming point, as my invention does not Ertain to such parts and the same are Wellrace-ways in the to plate'oi:I the machine and the various di erentwrelative positions .assumed by the threibobbin-carrying spindles, which latter are shown in cross section.

Fig. 14 is a side view of a portionl ofthe braid with the three stra-nds thereof shown at the lower end as unbraided or free. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the braid.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numbers o reference designate like parts throughout,.1 is the top late or table of the machine vin which are iormed. two curved Specieaton of Letters Patent.

own;- F iff. 2 is an elevation of the parts shown in Flg. 1. Figs. 3 to 12, in-A -clus1ve, are diagrammatic views showing the Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

race-ways 3 and 4, respectively, which intersect or have a common path at 5. These race-ways 3 and 4 are shown substantially semicircular in form and of the samecurvature, the two curves osculating at the point 5, as indicated in the drawing, though these twov race-ways may be varied in form as long as the essential features as hereinafter pointed out are preserved. The ordinary spindles A, B and C are mounted so as to travel through the curved raceways 3 and up device arranged above the bobbins-but which is not herewith shown as .it is not necessary to the understanding of my im A provements.

Beneath the top plate 1 is mounted a p air of coperating carrier disks 6 and .7wh1ch are arranged in the same horizontal plane and touch each other at the point 5 (see Fig. 1), these carriers being mounted loosely on studs 8 and 9, respectively, which depend from the underside of the top plate. The carrier disks 6 and-7 are connected by means of short tubular shafts 10, 11, with gear wheels 12, 13, respectively, the gears .meshing with each other so that the driving of the gear 12 actuate's the carrier dlsk and simultaneously actuates thecarrier vdlsk 7 through means of the gear 13 and shaft 11, the tubular shafts 10 and 11 turning on. the fixed studs 8 and' 9. ,The gear 12 is rigidly connected with a pinion 14 which is rocked or reciprocated on the stud 8 by means' of a toothed rack 15 which in turn lis reciprocated by means of a cam disk 16 having on its inner face a cam groove 17 which moves over pin or stud 18 fixed to the rack 15, the cam groove being of the ordinary shape which will serve to reciprocate the rack 15 back and forth over a prescribed range of movement as the cam wheel 16 is rotated, the cam 16 being rotated by the shaft 19 driven in a suitable manner.l It will thus be seen that the horizontal reciprocation of the rack 15 serves, through means of the 1n-4 termediate gearing, to rock or osclllate the carrier disks 6 and 7 simultaneously o'n their say, when the carrier disk 6 moves 1n the d1- rection in which the hands of a clock'mov'e,

the coperating carrier disk 7 is moved in the opposite direction and vice versa.

The carrier disks 6 and 7 are provided on their peripheries with spindle receiving notches 20 and 21, respectively, each disk having but one notch and the disks being so adjusted relatively to each other that the two notches 20 and 21 register with each other at the meeting point 5 of the disks, once during each one way stroke of the disks, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 13 in which latter figure the two notches are shown as registering with each other and receiving the spindle A between them.v The spindle which is being moved by the carrier may be transferred from such carrier to the coperating carrier at the point 5 where the two notches 2O and 21 register, by the position of the switch toward which the spindle is being carried as will be readily understood from the various diagrams shown in the drawings and in which the various successive movements of the three spindles A, B and C are indicated, as well as the different positions of the switches.

The race-way 3 is provided at its outer edge and near its respective ends with the recesses22, 23, and the race-way 4 is likewise provided at corresponding points with the recesses 24 and 25, for the reception of a spindle whenever the same reaches such point and is to be held at rest at such place, the spindles B and C being shown in Fig. 1 as resting in recesses 24 and 25, respectively, of the race-way 4 while the spindle A is shown as being held in the notch 20 of the carrier 6 by means of which it is! moved through the race-way.

At the two points where the intersecting race-ways 3 and 4 diverge from each other, I provide switches for diverting a traveling spindle from one path to the other or for keeping it on its own path.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 13, the switching tongue or member 26 is pivoted at 27 to the underside of the top plate and has its free end suitably tapered or pointed and extending into the common path 5 of the two race-ways 3 and 4 and it may be swung to one side or the other of the common pathand accordingly close the diverging portion.

of one race-way while the other diverging portion is left open to the common path, as will be understood from Fig. 1. Fixed arms 28 and 29 extend from opposite sides, respectively, of the switching member 26 and have their outer ends projecting into the corresponding ends of the race-ways 3 and 4, respectively, and into the resting points or recesses 22 and 24 of such race-ways so that a spindle in moving through the race-way toward the recess 22 may collide with the arm and move it aside so as to automatically throw the switch. In order to insure the engagement of a spindle with the switch arm, and to force the latter aside, I provide the switch arms 28, 29, with curved spring fingers 30, 31, respectively, the free ends of the fingers extending a considerable distance toward the switch member 26 so as to readily. receive the moving spindle. A spring 32 is secured between a fixed point 33 and a point on the switch member 26 and the parts are so related that when the switch member is set midway of its range of movement, the spring passes centrally over the pivotal point 27 and accordingly serves to snap the switch to one side or the other of its central position. Vhen the switch is Agiven an initial movement in one direction,

it will be snapped in such direction into its final osition, by means of this spring. Consi ering now Fig. 1 in which the carriers are moving in the direction of the adjacent respective arrows,v the spindle A is being carried in the notch 20 along the path 3 in the direction of the adjacent arrow, while the spindle B is at rest in the recess 24 and thereby serves to hold the switch 26 set to the side of the common path toward the carrier 7. When the carrier 6 is about to complet-e its said movement and its notch notch 21 and the recess 24 in which the spin- 95 dle B is resting. At this time, the spindle A has collided with the switch arm 28 and is forcing it outwardly while the switch arm 29 is forcing the spindle B out of the recess 24 into the notch 2],of the carrier 7 and as soon as this operation has shifted the switch member 26 a little beyond its central point of movement, the spring 32 comes into play and snaps the switch into its final position into which it has started to move.A then the carriers move on the back stroke in the directions opposite to that indicated by the two adjacent arrows, and the switch has been thus thrown, the spindle A remains at rest in the notch 22 (as shown in ig. 3) and the spindle B begins its movement through the race-way 4 toward the intersecting point 5 which it reaches by reason of the switch 26 being opened-in respect to the way 4.A

Opposite the switch 26 is a similar switch 34 pivoted at 35 and provided with oppositely projecting fixed arms 36, 37, the respective ends of `which sweep across the resting4 recesses 23 and 25 of the race-ways 3 and 4. The ends of these arms project also into the respective paths 3 and 4 and are provided with spring fingers 38 and 39, re-

spectively, for receiving the spindles, in the manner described in reference to the switch 26. The switch 34 is likewise provided with a spring 40 secured between a fixed point 41 and the switch member 34, and this spring serves to snap the switch 34 from one side to the other in the manner described in reference to the switch 26. The switch 34 is thrown in the same manner as described in reference to the switch 26. In Fig. 1 it is shown as set at the sides of the common path 5 toward the carrier-7, so that the full course of the race-way 3 is free while the race-way 4 is shut ofi" atv both of its branches. In Fig. 1, the spindle C is shown as standing in the resting recess 25 and this serves to hold the switch 34 in the position shown. When,

however, the switch 26 has been thrown to the switch 34' is thrown towardthe carrier 6, the snapping of the switch 34 serving to retain the spindle B in .the recess 23 and at the same time causes the arm 37 to force the spindle C out of its resting place 25 and into the notch 21 of the carrier 7. The carriers are then reversed in their directions of movement, the spindles A and B remaining at rest -in the recesses 22 and 23, respectively, while the spindle C is moved 'through the race-way 4 into the common path 5 and'thence on through the remaining portion of the raceway 4 to the resting recess 24, as will be understood from Fig. 4. Thus the three spindles have in turn been caused to pass the common point 5. When the spindle C comes to rest in the recess 24 (see Fig. 4), the notch 20 in the carrier 6 is brought opposite the spindle A at its resting point, the swit/ch 26 is thrown towardv the carrier 7 and the spindleA is forced into the notch 20 so as to be fully in the race-way 3, whereupon the reversemovement of the carriers moves the `spindle A through part of the race-way- 3 to thereto'and in the reverse mrvement of the carriers, the spindle B is-moved through the race-Way 3 to the common point 5 from Where it continues on through t-he race-way 3 by virtueof the position of the switch 26, as shown in Fig. 6. The spindle B continues itsv movement until it is brought to rest in the recess 22 when the'switch 26 is thrown toward the carrier 6 thereby releasing the spindle C -from its resting point -24 and forcing it into the notch 21 of the carrier 7, so that the reverse movement of the carriers moves the spindle C through the race-way 4 to the takes the spindle A through the entire course of race-way 4, by Areason of the position of the switch 26, as s hown in Fig. 8. f

When the spindle A comes to rest in the recess 24, the switch 26 is thrown into the position shown in Fig. '9 and the spindle B is forced into the race-way 3, whereupon the reverse movement of the carriers takes the spindle B through the common path 5 thence into the race-way 4 because of the position of the switch 34, as shown in Fig. 9. When the spindle B is brought to rest in the recess 25, the switch 34 is thrown into the position shown in Fig. 10 and the spindle C is then caused to move through the entire course of the path of race-way 3, as indicated in Fig. 10. When the spindle C comes to rest in the recess 22, as shown in Fig. 11, the switch 26 is thrown into the position shown in Fig. 11, and the spindle A is forced into the raceway 4 and is then moved by the carrier 7 to the common path 5 and is thence diverted by the switch 34 into the race-way 3, as shown in Fig. 11. When the spindle A ,comes to rest in the recess 23, as shown in Fig. 11, the

switch 34 isthrown toward the carrier 6 and the reverse movement of the carriers A takes the spindle B through the entire course of the race-way 4, as shown in Fig. 12. When the spindle B is brought to rest in recess 24, the switch 26 is thrown toward the carrier 7 and the spindle C is then forced into the raceway 3and the reverse movement of the carriers takes the spindle C through the common path 5, thence into the raceway 4 by reason of the position of switch 34 as shown in Fig. 12. When the spindle C comes to rest in recess 25, the switch 34 is thrown toward the carrier 7 into the position shown in Fig. 1 and the spindle A is forced into the raceway 3, and the reverse movement of the carriers moves the spindle A through the entire course of raceway 3 by reason of the position of switch 26 las shown in Fig. 1. This completes two successive sewhich the spindle which has just come to l rest, has traveled. In following the braiding operation of the spindles, as hereinabove described, and starting, for example, with the position of the several parts as shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that the spindle A is about completing its traverse from its previous resting point 23, over the full course of race-way 3, (as both switches 26, and 34, are set toward the carrier 7), and that when spindle A comes to rest at the end of the stroke of its carrier 6, the spindle is transferred to its resting point 22, the switch 26, thereby thrown toward carrier 6, (see Fig. 3) and the spindle B, is then taken up by the carrier 7, and moved through part of race-way 4, to the crossing point 5, where by means of switch 34, it is shunted to the carrier 6, which moves it over part of the raceway 3, to the resting place 23, whereupon the switch 34 is thrown toward carrier 6, the spindle C is moved by carrier 7 through the full course of lrace-way 4, to the resting point 24, which spindle C in turn throws switch 26 and so on. In the described movements of the said three spindles A, B and C, spindle A has made a traverse of a full course, B has traversed part of one course and part of another and C has traversed the full course of a race-way. As this series of operations is repeated, the traverse of a full course and the traverse of part of one course and part of another, alternates, the same spindle in turn traversing a full course and then part of one course and part of the other. It will also be noted that the general plan of the associated race-ways 3 and 4, is like the letter X.

I Wish to be understood as not limiting my invention to the particular construction of the parts herewith shown, as changes may be made in the various parts thereof without, however, departing from the spirit of the invention.

This braid is of a peculiar formation being somewhat extended in four directions laterally in contradistinction to being flat, the braid showing substantially a diamondshape in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 15. This peculiar form of braid presents four sides as will be seenfrom Figs. 14 and l5, wherein the strand H is shown in a dotted design, G in a striped design and the strand I as plain or white. In each side of this braid the strands appear lin repeated alternation and a loop of each on any one side breaks joints with the loops of the two other strands on the adjacent sides.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-spindles, oscillating carriers for said spindles, provided withmeans for reciprocating or rocking said carriers, intersecting race-ways for said spindles, means for actuating said carriers to move the spindles along the race-ways, and means for diverting each spindle from one carrier to another to shift said spindle to an intersecting race-way and continue its movement along the latter.

2. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways each having two terminals, and means for moving said spindles along the race-ways seriatz'm through said intersecting point from one terminal to another and returning the said spindles sem'- atz'm through said intersecting point from one terminal to another.

3. In a braiding machine, the combination of three ltraveling bobbin carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways each having two terminals, means for moving said spindles along the race-ways seria/tim through said intersecting point from one terminal to another and returning the said spindles sem'- V atz'm through said intersecting point from one terminal to another, and meansy for diverting a traveling spindle from one raceway to another at the intersecting point thereof at a predetermined time, said diverting means being automatically operated by another of said spindles as it comes to rest at a terminal point.

4. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways each having two terminals, means for moving said spindles along the race-ways serz'am through said intersecting point from one terminal to another and returning the said spindles seratz'm through said intersecting point from one terminal to another, and switching mechanism for switching a traveling spindle at the intersecting point in the race-ways from one race-way to another at a predetermined time, said switchin mechanism being operatively connected with and actuated by a spindle when the latter reaches a terminal or resting point.

5. In' a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, intersecting race-ways each having two terminals, means for moving each spindle in turn along the race-ways and through the intersecting point thereof to a terminal, and retaining it there during the traverseof the other spindles in turn and means for returning each spindle in turn throu h the intersecting point to another terminal, mechanism for switching a spindle at the intersecting point from one race-way to another, means for removing a spindle from the raceway upon its arrival at a terminal, said` removing means bein operatively connected with said switching mechanism whereby the latter is actuated. by the operation of said removing means.

6. In a braiding machine, -lthe combination of threetraveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways, means for carrying said spindles serz'atm along the race-ways through the .intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one raceway, the second over part of the course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the first race- Way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way and repeating said operation, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the preceding one. j

7. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways, means for carrying said spindles serz'atz'm along the race-ways through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one raccway, the other over part of the course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the rst race-way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in theopposite direction from 'that of the preceding one, and means for retaining yeach spindle at rest at the end of its traverse.

8. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two. intersecting race-ways, means for carrying said spindles serz'atim along the race-ways through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one raceway, the second over part of xthe course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the first race-way, and the third spindleover the full .course of the second race-way and repeating said operation, each spindle making its traverse. through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the preceding one, mechanism for switching said spindles at the intersecting point of the race-ways and controlling each branch of the raceways, means for disengagingv each spindle from said carrying means at the end of the traverse of the spindle and retaining the spindle at rest, the said switching mechanism and disengaging means of the spindles being operatively connected, whereby as each spindle is disengaged from said carrying means, the switching mechanism acts to close the branch of the race-way over which the spindle has just moved and to open the adjacent branch of the other race-way.

9. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways, means for carrying said spindles serz'atz'm along the race-ways through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one raceway, the second over part of the course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the first race-way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way and repeating said operation, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the preceding one, a switch located at each of the branching points of the two race-ways and each switch controlling the adjacent branch of v each race-way, means for disengaging each Ways through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one race-way, lthe second over'part of the course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the first race-way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way and repeating said operation, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the preceding one, mechanism for switching said spindles at the intersecting point of the race-ways Y and controlling each adjacent branch of the race-ways, said switches each comprising a pivoted tongue lor member and fixed arms extending from said member and each provided at the end with a device for receiving a spindle as it reaches the end of its traverse in one of the branches of the race-way.

11. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two intersectin race-ways, means for carrying said spind es seratz'm along the race-ways through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one race- Way, the second over part ofthe course of the second race-way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the irst race-way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way and repeating-said operation, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the precedlng one, a switchrlocated at eachof the branching points ofthe two race-ways and each switch controlling the adjacent branch of each race-way, each of said switches comprising a pivoted tongue or member provided with connections extending to the terminals of each of the adjacent branches of the race-ways and adapted to engage a spindle when the latter reaches a terminal and said engagement serving to throw the connected switch and bring the spindle to rest.

12. In a braiding machine, the combination of three traveling bobbincarrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways, means for carrying said spindles seratz'm along the race-way through the intersecting point thereof one over the full course of one raceway, the second over part of the course of the second race-Way to the intersecting point and thence over part of the first race-way, and the third spindle over the full course of the second race-way and repeating said operation, each spindle making its traverse through the intersecting point in the opposite direction from that of the preceding one, a switch located at each of the branching points of the two race-ways andV each switch controlling the adjacent branch of each race-way, each of said switches being provided with a spring for snapping the switching member to one side or the other after the switch has been given an initial movement toward said side.

13. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two interecting race-ways each having two terminals, a carrier for each race-way and driving means therefor, a switch at each branching point of the race-ways and each switch controlling an adjacent'v branch of each race-way, means for disengaging the spindles from one of the carriers when the spindle has reached the end of its traverse and means for engaging another of said spindles with the other carrier to begin its traverse, the said disengaging and engaging means being operatively connected with the adjacent switch, whereby when a spindle reaches the end of its traverse it is disengaged from the carrier, the adjacent switch is thrown and a spindle is caused to engage the other carrier. v

14. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, two intersecting race-ways each having two terminals, a reciprocating carrier for each race-way, each carrier provided with a spindle receiving notch or part adapted to register with each other at the intersecting point of the race-ways, a resting point for a spin dle at each terminal, the said spindle receiving notch or part of each carrier being adapted to register with the spindle resting point of each terminal of the race-way of the carrier at the end ofthe stroke of the carrler, a switch at each branching point of the race-ways, means for disengaging a spindle from the notch 0r part of its carrier at a terminal point and moving it to the resting point, and means for moving a spindle from its resting point at another terminal and engaging the spindle with the adjacent carrier, the said spindle engaging and disengaging means of the two terminals of adjacent branches of the race-ways being operatively connected, whereby the spindle which has just completed its traverse is disengagedA from its carrier andthe spindle which is at rest at the terminal of said adjacent branch of the race-way is engaged with its carrier, the switch which is a jacent to the spindles which are engaged and disengaged, respectively with their carriers being automatically thrown by such engagement and disengagement of the spindles.

15. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, intersecting race-ways 3 and 4 for said spindles, reciprocating carriers 6 and 7 provided with spindle receiving notches 20 and 21, respectively adapted to register withy each other at the intersecting point of the raceways 3 and 4, means for reciprocating said carriers, a resting point at each terminal of the race-ways, a switch at each branching point of the race-ways and adapted to control the adjacent branches of the race-ways, means for disengaging a spindle from its carrier at the end of the stroke of the 'carrier and simultaneously engaging another spindle with the other carrier, said disengaging and engaging means being operatively connected with the adjacent switch and actuating the latter.

16. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles, intersecting race-ways 3 and 4 for said spindles, reciprocating carriers 6 and 7 provided with spindle receiving notches 20 and 21, respectively, adapted to register with each other at the intersecting point of the ,raceways 3 and 4, means for reciprocating said carriers, a resting point at each terminal of the race-ways, switches comprising pivoted tongues or members 26 and 34 each controlling adjacent branches of the raceways 3 and 4, means for disengaging a spindle'from its carrier at the end of the stroke of the carrier and holding said spindle at rest, and means for moving another spindle from its resting point and engaging it w'ith the adjacent carrier, said disengaging and engaging means and the switch adjacent thereto being operatively connected, whereby when a spindle comes to rest 'at the end of the stroke of its carrier, another spindle is moved from its point of rest and engaged with the adjacent carrier and the adjacent switch is thrown.

17. In a braiding machine, the combination of traveling bobbin-carrying spindles A, B and C, intersecting race-ways 3 and 4 having the spindle resting recesses 22, 23 and 24, 25, at the respective terminals of said race-ways, reciprocating carriers 6 and 7 provided with spindle receiving notches 20 and 21, respectively, which are adapted to register with each other at the intersecting point of the race-ways, the said spindle receiving notch 20 also registering with the recesses 22,23, respectively, at the end of the strokes of the carrier 6, the spindle4 receiving notch 21 of the carrier 7 registering with the recesses 24 and 25, respectively, at my hand in the presence of, the two 37 projecting into the paths of the race-Ways 3 and 4, respectively, and adapted to engage the spindles therein.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto slet 15 the end of the strokes of the carrier 7, a scribing Witnesses.

pivoted switch 26 provided with fixed arms 28, 29, project-ing respectively into the pathsy of the race-ways 3 and 4, respectively, so as to engage the spindles therein, a pivoted switch 34: provided with fixed arms 36 and l GUSTAVO DONAT. Witnesses:

WILLIS FoWLER, ROBERT F. HENRY. 

